USA for Today

WATCH: Pence Calls For Unity At GOP Retreat

Vice President Mike Pence gave a well-received speech at the GOP Congressional Retreat on Wednesday in which he assured Republican lawmakers that the White House supports them. “I want to encourage you,” he said. “… and promise you President Trump and I are going to be with you every step of the way in 2018 to tell that story to the American people.”

Earlier this week, congressional Republicans gathered at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, to discuss their policy agenda for the new year. The lawmakers and their families gave the Vice President and his wife Karen a warm welcome when he approached the podium to deliver his remarks.

He took a moment to reflect on the train accident where several GOP lawmakers were injured.

“I know it’s been a harrowing day for all of you that were involved in today’s train accident,” he said. “I was in the Oval Office with the President when we were informed of what had occurred. And, frankly, for me, and I know for the President, we were both deeply troubled at the initial reports but quickly relieved that the scope of the accident was not larger.”

Pence also praised Trump for his State of the Union address. “The President laid out a vision for America where everyone knows, in his words, the dignity of a hard day’s work; where every child feels safe in their home at night, and every citizen is proud of the land that we love,” he said. “It is a partnership between a President and Republican majorities in the House and Senate that have delivered real results for the American people.”

The Vice President praised congressional leaders for their work in getting Trump’s judicial and cabinet appointments confirmed and their success in passing tax reform and cutting regulations to encourage job growth.

“The results speak for themselves,” he declared.

“And as I said before and I’ll say as I close: President Trump and I are going to be with you every step of the way,” he promised. “We believe in these Republican majorities. We’ve worked shoulder-to-shoulder with these great leaders, and each and every one of you, to advance policies that are really turning this country around.”